Metallic thread-protector.



No 63| 577 Patented `Al g. 22, 18,99.

J. Mcc; LUPER.

METALLIC THREAD PRTECTR.

(Application md Nov. 4, 189e.)

(No'Model.)

TN: NoRms PETERS ucl,4 PnaTaLm-uo.. wsummou. u4 c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOIINATHAN MCC. LOPER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

METALLIC THREAD-PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 631,577, dated August 22, 1899.

Application led November 4, 1898. Serial 110.695,48). (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHNA'THAN MCC. Lo- PER,a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Thread-Protectors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in thread-protectors for pipes.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which is adapted for protecting threads of pipes, rods, or any threaded article from mutilation or injury during the transit or the handling of the same.

A further object of myinvention is to provide adevice of this character which is adapted to be inserted -into the pipe or to surround or enter the pipe a certain distance before the threads of the protector engage the pipethreads.

Brieiy described, the invention consists of a suitable screw-threaded metallic stripy bent to form a ring or band and two overlapping ends secured together in such a manner that the threads alternate, and owing to this arrangement of the overlapping ends it will give a gripping edge on each side of the strip which allows of the easy insertion of the protector in or on the pipe to protect the threads.

My inventionflnally consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein like numerals of reference indicate the corresponding parts throughout the several views thereof, and in which- Figure l is a cross-section view of my improved thread-protector as applied to a pipe interiorly. Fig. 2 is a similar view of my improved thread-protector as applied to a pipe exteriorly. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the metallic strip from which the thread-protector is formed. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the form of thread-protector shown in Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the form of pipe shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectionalsview of the metallic strip, as shown in Fig. 3, before being formed into the protector.

Referring to the drawingsby reference-numerals, lvindicates the pipe, which may be provided at the end with interiorly-arranged screw-threads, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, or eXteriorly-arranged screw-threads, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The thread-protector consists of a suitable metallic strip 3. The ends thereof are adapted to overlap and be securedtogether by means of the rivet 4 or other suitable means, thereby forming a band. This metallic strip may be interiorly screw-threaded, as at 7, or exteriorly screw-threaded, as at 8.

When securing the overlapping ends of the band together, the said ends are moved slightly in a lateral direction, so as to cause a portionof the band to project beyond the remaining portion, as shown at 9, and the ends bein gthen secured when in this position. This serves to make the band slightly conical in form and permits the insertion of the same into the pipe (when eXteriorly screw-threaded, and when interiorly screw-threaded to partially surround the pipe) before the threads thereof engage with the threads of the pipe.

In devices heretofore in use it is always necessary to catch the irst thread of the pipe, as well as on the protector, before the same can be started; but in my device, owing to the overlapping of the ends in the manner shown and the making of the bands somewhat conical in shape, the same can be vreadily inserted in the pipe or around the same a certain distance before the threads will catch, thus saving any amount of time and trouble. Furthermore, owing to the extending portions of the edges of the protector, which form a gripping means for the fingers, after the protector has been inserted or surrounding the pipe the same can be very readily turned until the threads catch. By this arrangement of the overlapping edges after the protector has been inserted or surrounding the pipe the threads of the pipe are liable to catch the threads of the protector at any point, which IOO obviates the objection heretofore in other thread-protectors of the catching of the first thread of the pipe before the saine can be used.

It will be noted that Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described lnyinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A thread-protector comprising a suitable screw-threaded metallic strip adapted t0 be secured together by a rivetJ thereof forming a band, and the ends Overlapping in such a manner that when the band is formed the screw-threads at the overlap Will alternate, making a band somewhat conical in form thereby forming a gripping edge for the fingers which will allow the insertion of the band into 0r around the pipe to protect the threads thereof, substantially as shown and described. 2. A thread-protector for pipes consistingr of a suitable screw-threaded metallic strip the ends thereof adapted to be secured together thereby forming a band, and in such a manner that the same can be inserted into or surround the pipes a certain distance before the threads of the protcc tor will catch the threads of the pipe, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHNATIIAN MCC. LOPER. Witnesses:

JOHN NOLAND, Il. II. PATTERSON. 

